From my Desk
I was appalled by the statistics in the recent Canberra Times article, which shed light on the dynamics influencing entrepreneurial endeavours in Canberra. Despite its commendable education level and a rich pool of talent, Canberra faces significant hurdles that impede the establishment and success of new businesses.
While Canberra boasts the highest education level and talent pool score among Australia’s capital cities, with an impressive rating of 92.1, its entrepreneurial landscape is marred by daunting challenges. The city’s standing plummets when confronted with the high costs to do business with rising fee’s and charges implemented by the ACT Labor-Greens Government. The Canberra Liberals, myself included, promise to foster a more vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem by addressing these systemic challenges.
Implementing measures to alleviate the financial burden on residents, and promoting initiatives that support small businesses are imperative steps toward unlocking Canberra’s full potential as a thriving hub of innovation and entrepreneurship. Specifically in Yerrabi, I aim to cultivate an environment where aspiring entrepreneurs are empowered to turn their visions into reality, driving economic prosperity and societal advancement.
Out and About
What a busy month it has been. I want to start out by saying thank you to those who come down to our Bonner BBQ! It was a great turnout, with so many friendly faces who came down for a chat. Quite a few issues were raised on the day, including the rise in crime, hooning/dangerous driving, urban maintenance and the disappointing condition of the Bonner Oval.
I have written to the Minister to raise these issues, and many more of your concerns. For an update on the Minister’s response, please head to my socials @jameskmilligan.
This month I volunteered at Park Run, doorknocking in Franklin and Forde, visiting businesses in Hall and Mitchell and holding many stalls out in the electorate! If you see me out and about, make sure you come over for a chat! I might even shout you a coffee. I also have started up my Back in 5 videos again, below is a fresh new episode. There are more to come, so be sure to keep a keen eye here in the newsletters, or on my socials!
If there is anything you would like to discuss or bring to my attention, don’t hesitate to reach out by replying to this email.
Community Hot Chocolate
This Saturday, I will be holding a community Hot Chocolate event in Franklin from 12-2 pm! If you’re in the area, pop down for a Hot Chocolate and a chat.
Back in 5
In this episode of Back in 5, I got to speak with Aman and Nasreen from Adore Tea in Mitchell. Watch below to find out more!
Portfolio
School holidays again and a welcome break from the business of the Assembly. Last week I continued to ask questions about the Gungahlin Joint Emergency Centre, to get some much needed clarity for the community. I also spoke to a motion on the impact of legislative compliance and other areas of government neglect on the building industry, such as the lack of skills funding.
Skills shortagesThe Building Industry motion called on the government to increase the funding for skills and training in the 2024-25 Budget to address skill shortages. Recent years has seen the support for apprenticeships training subsidies for a range of construction industry trades decreasing. The ACT has hit an all-time low for apprentices currently undertaking training across all industry sectors. But the trades have been particularly hard hit.
According to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research, apprenticeships in the construction trade the ACT have declined sharply over the last five years, a downward slide of over 11 percent. Yet the rest of Australia has seen a significant growth of over 22 percent. That’s a 33 percent difference between the ACT and the rest of Australia of people currently doing an apprenticeship in a construction trade. It is small wonder that the construction companies in the ACT are struggling to find employees directly impacting on their ability to complete work in a timely manner.
As the Master Builders Association recently said, “the ACT provided the lowest apprenticeship training subsidies for carpenters and plumbers compared with any other Australian State or Territory”. I would have to agree with the MBA, that it is vitally important that the ACT Government respond to the need for more construction workers across all the trades.
Update on the Gungahlin JESCAnd there is finally some movement on the Gungahlin JESC. The government has indicated that it should open sometime in May, though there has been no date set yet. I also asked questions about the safety of personnel and exposure to the diesel and lead particulates.
In response, the Minister stated that he had not sought medical advice, but that the advice from the report from the ‘experts in contamination’ was that there was “no risk to anybody who had previously worked at the JESC”. If there was no exposure, it begs the question, why was the centre closed? And why has it taken so long for it to re-open?
Let me know what you think, I would love to hear your thoughts on these matters.
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